Monday, 11 May 2009

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson

Downtrodden and penniless Miss Pettigrew has reached middle age and thinks her next governess job will be her last chance. She is sent by her employment agency, in mistake, to the household of Miss LaFosse, a nightclub singer.

Thrown into an exotic world she has never experienced before, treated with kindness and as an equal. Looked to for help Miss Pettigrew draws on resources she never knew processed. As Miss LaFosse's complicated life and loves spin out of control Miss Pettigrew's common sense and experience of past employees and film plots (she is an avid movie goer) guides them through the day.

This is a delightful novel first published in 1938 and set in that period , a modern Cinderella story written in a lively and humorous style not dissimilar to Noel Coward. It is also one of the "1001 Books to Read Before You Die" so this would be a nice quick read to tick off if you are a list addict.

Persephone Books have published it with the original charming drawings and a rather attractive flapped cover. I love a pretty book.